UPDATED: Wales WILL provide PrEP study

Nicholas Baker

***UPDATED***

It has been announced by the Health Secretary Vaughan Gething that an all-Wales study to provide the drug Truvada® to all those who would benefit from the preventative treatment.

He said: “There is no doubt that Truvada® reduces rates of HIV infection when taken correctly and supported by wider, preventative sexual health services can help to reduce overall HIV transmission and infection rates. This is the advice of the World Health Organisation.

“The study that I have announced will mean that all those for whom the drug is clinically appropriate can access it.

“The study will help us to learn how best to provide the preventative treatment to reduce risks of HIV transmission in Wales and answer some of the questions raised by the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group around incidence rates.

“The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group is a highly regarded, independent expert group. I acknowledge their advice that there are uncertainties regarding cost-effectiveness and that they have not recommended the drug for routine use within NHS Wales at this time.

“I am asking Public Health Wales and the HIV Expert Group to work together to deliver the study.”

Nick Baker, Outreach and Communications Manager at GMFA – the gay men’s health charity said: "GMFA welcomes the news that the Welsh government has gone against the recommendation of the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) and that PrEP will become available to those who are most at risk on the NHS in Wales. Over the past year we have seen statistics that proves PrEP works and is helping in the fight against HIV. In some cases, GUM clinics have seen a 40% drop in new HIV infections. PrEP is the tool that we have been waiting for and I am delighted that gay and bisexual men in Wales can now access PrEP free on the NHS.”

"GMFA are disappointed by the recommendation today from the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) not to recommend that PrEP should be made available for the most at risk in Wales. We have already gone through a major trial by the PROUD study, and over the past year we have seen statistics that prove PrEP works and is helping in the fight against HIV. In some cases, GUM clinics have seen a 40% drop in new HIV infections, and an independent review commissioned by the Welsh Government has also shown PrEP to be highly effective.

“We are calling for the AWMSG to reconsider and that there be a united approach to making PrEP available to all those who need it in the UK. Following Scotland’s decision to approve PrEP on the NHS earlier this month HIV prevention should not become a postcode lottery.”

Nick continues: "Going forward, we need to make sure PrEP becomes free to anyone who feels they are at risk. Too many gay and bisexual men are becoming HIV-positive and we now have a tool that can prevent new infections.

"Every gay and bisexual man living in the entire UK deserves the right to access PrEP for free on the NHS. It’s time this became a reality. Too many gay and bisexual men are becoming HIV-positive and we now have an additional tool - along with condoms and regular testing for HIV and other STIs - that can prevent new infections.”

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